Balers & Bale Wrappers

The latest news on Balers and Bale Wrappers

New Case IH LB436 HD baler

The first large-format “High Density” LB436 HD balers from Case IH have completed their first season on farm, impressing operators with their speed and bale quality. Ideal for largescale farmers and contractors, this baler is designed to provide high-performance baling of more than 40 tons per hour and to pack 500kg into each bale in all crops. A patented two-speed mid-gearbox will speed up the PTO in two stages from 1000 to 1445 rpm and allows smooth startup with 240 hp tractors. It also features automatic declutch in case of overload. The pick-up bar with a working width of 235 cm, 5 tine bars and perfect bale tine distribution, reliably and cleanly picks up the swath even at higher speeds. An automatic lubrication system minimises downtime and maintenance work and the dust-proof twine boxes are large enough for 36 spools of twine.

Reinforced plungers, TwinePro twin-knot technology as standard, and a hydraulically suspended, steered tandem chassis all increase the efficiency of the baler and set standards in bale density and ground speed.

Case IH also continues to offer the LB4 XL series with 4 models available, producing bales from 80x70 TO 120x90 CM.

In the round baler market, Case IH offers a variety of products including the RB545 model producing bales of 122125 CM. The RB545 can be supplied with or without the silage pack wrapper which features a tandem axle and wider tyres to minimise ground compaction.

The chopping system comes with up to 20 blades, while the dual pre-wrapping system means bales can be pre-wrapped with either plastic film or net, depending on preference.

The RB455 and RB465 models offer high-capacity variable chamber baling with Feeder, Rotor Cutter and Overshot versions. All feature durable endless belts and the 1.3m wide Edge Wrap duckbill netwrap system to produce uniform-density, clean-edged bales.

Finally, the RB344 produces bales of 120x125 cm and is ideal for farmers that prefer independence at an affordable price.

New heavy duty Rollants from Claas

The latest Rollant 540 and 520 fixed chamber round balers have been completely redesigned and include new rollers, a stronger chassis, a new drive concept and ease of maintentance, all ensuring high performance, excellent reliability and a long service life. Both Rollant balers produce a 1.25m diameter bale, the Rollant 520 bale being 1.20m wide and the 540 bale 1.22m

In the fixed chamber, the Rollant 540 has 15 newly redesigned rollers all made from 4mm thick steel and the Rollant 520 has 16, of which eight are made from 3-mm-thick sheet steel, and the other eight from 4-mm-thick sheet steel. The ribbed profile of the rollers ensures precise rotation of the bale, even under moist conditions. Storage and power transmission functions are performed by the heavy duty stub shafts that can be individually replaced if necessary, like the rollers themselves.

The rotor, main drive and tailgate rollers are fitted with Zubakki 1.25-inch (Rollant 540) or 1.00-inch (Rollant 520) drive chains. The oil lubricating the chain is pumped from the large

storage tank by an adjustable eccentric pump. Lubrication is

not tied to throughput – the oil is distributed as needed, precisely on the chain link pivot points.

The baling pressure is controlled via the horizontally mounted tailgate closing rams. For maximum bale density, pressure of up to 180 bar can be applied to the rams. Optionally available is the MPS II system. With this system, three of the compression rollers pivot into the chamber for additional bale compaction, early bale rotation and a perfectly uniform bale shape.

Both the ROLLANT 540 and 520 balers are available either with the ROTOCUT chopping system or with the ROTOFEED feed rotor. The ROLLANT 520 is also available with an assister feed rake. The crop is picked up cleanly and efficiently with a 2.10-m-wide controlled pick-up (1.85 m on the RIOLLANT 520 with assister feed rake). A crop guard is available as optional equipment.

Film binding increases versatility of Fendt Rotana combi balers

Film on film binding is now an option on Fendt’s Rotana fixed chamber round baler combination machines.

Traditionally a net only machine, the Rotana 130F Combi now features both film and net binding options and the operator can easily switch between the two products in the field. The innovative film binding technique means farmers only have one waste product to dispose of when opening the bales.

To switch between net and film, the operator alters a setting on the in-cab terminal to bring the two clever merging arms into work. These open the plastic film on entry to the 1.25m chamber to spread it across the full width of the bale for complete coverage. Conversely, when the bale is finished, the merging arms retract and gather the film into a bunch making it easier and quicker for the knife to cut a reduced film surface area.

Three 1,380mm-wide wrap or net rolls can be stored on the

Rotana 130F and the Easy Load System reduces manual handling associated with loading rolls. The system features a diagonally folding arm for the operator to load from ground level, before lifting the arm back up and into the support for delivery into the chamber.

The chamber itself features 18 PowerGrip steel rollers to guarantee consistent compression throughout the bale formation, regardless of the crop. There is also a locking latch on the rear door to ensure it closes fully and bale compression isn’t affected.

Other benefits of film binding include added protection against frost damage during storage. Demonstration Fendt Rotana 130F Combi units will be running in the UK throughout 2022.

John Deere’s C441R with film-on-film binding

Developed to meet the highcapacity requirements of contractors and larger livestock farms, Deere’s C441R premium wrapping baler incorporates a heavy-duty drive system rated at up to 210hp with 1,000rpm PTO. The 18-roller bale chamber has a 121cm width, and a transport table system allows one bale to be held while the next bale is being formed before ejecting both at the same time. This saves time, simplifies bale collection logistics and accelerates harvesting. And it’s fast - the wrapping arm works at 40rpm. A big advantage of the C441R is film-on-film wrapping, allowing farmers to unwrap a bale in frosty conditions effortlessly, and there’s no need any more to separate film and net for waste disposal.

It’s an all-rounder, able to perform in both heavy, wet grass crops and dry straw, producing bales with consistent density and shape in all crop types.

Operators can choose from 2-metre or optional 2.2m pick-ups, feeding a high capacity MaxiCut HC rotor with 13 or 25 knives. The baler also incorporates a full width parallel drop-floor system operated from the tractor cab, which enables blockages to be removed instantly. The machine is available with a single axle as standard or with an optional tandem axle chassis for improved stability.

Krone VariPack belt baler

Scotland’s livestock and arable farmers historically faced with the challenge of producing a high quality, dense and dry bale of straw, hay, haylage have seen excellent results at demonstrations last year, where Krone’s VariPack XC 165 Plus baler was employed. The machine has also been tested in higher moisture crops, including silage, very successfully.

The VariPack belt baler is a new segment of the market for Krone in Scotland and it offers increased output and density

over the Comprima models. Its belt chamber has three smooth belts that efficiently form dry crops into high-density bales even when conditions are not perfect.

Standard on this baler is the EasyFlow pick-up that has very few moving parts, which helps reduce wear and tear, especially in difficult conditions and at high work rates. Designed with minimal working parts, EasyFlow pick-up has special strippers that ensure the right angle and length of cut is achieved. The 6mm thick tines are mounted with large coils that make them robust and hard wearing.

Options are available on the pick up for the VariPack with either integral feed rotor or integral rotor cutter with 26 blades, with the versatility to alter blade numbers in work from 0/13/13/26 to give cutting lengths of 84mm or42mm. Blade groups on the VariPack XC Plus can be selected directly from the cab, and blockages can be quickly and simply removed by dropping the floor. This baler also has an easy to operate and reliable twine/net film wrapping system. The net chute folds out and into position so the roll is easily transferred to the cradle. Spare net and twine rolls are stored on the machine to keep going on long working days.“Often with limited time to gather up a crop into bales due to the challenging weather in Scotland, the speed of the baling operation is critical,” says territory manager Ian Brydson. “VariPack XC Plus meets these demands easily but it is also able to produce a high-density bale, which puts this baler into a bracket of its own. The quality of each bale is not compromised by the need for speed or the working environment. The Varipack baler is recognised as an extremely attractive option for Scottish farmers and contractors.”

Kubota round balers go heavy duty

Kubota has expanded its round baler line-up range with the introduction of an all-new, high capacity fixed chamber baler, called the BF3500.

Replacing the previous BF3255 model, the new BF3500 has been engineered for use in heavy silage conditions. It gets an 18-roller bale chamber, with two rollers located in the base of the chamber to give additional support with heavy, wet silage bales.

Bale density is managed by a hydraulic density system, designed to ensure consistent bale quality in all crop conditions.

A new 2.3m wide pick-up, designated XL+ has also been introduced and incorporates an extensive series of upgrades. An extra tine has been added on either side, increasing the working width by 10cm; a new five-bar tine reel incorporates a cam track located at both ends, while each tine bar is supported on four bearings.

Kuhn opens new square baler finance scheme

Kuhn Farm Machinery is offering a new 0% finance deal on its range of square balers with a scheme that will run until the end of April 2022.

The 3-year 0% offer can be used against 50% of the list price of all Kuhn square balers, SB models. This includes the Kuhn SB 1290 iD baler which features the patented TWINPACT double plunger system. TWINPACT increases the force applied to the surface of the bale to produce denser bales using a machine load comparable to a conventional baler with the traditional single plunger design.

The finance scheme requires 1+3 annual payments and is open to all business users. KUHN Finance can also offer tailored finance plans, making KUHN equipment affordable for any farming cashflow.

Kuhn Finance is a partnership between Kuhn Farm Machinery and De Lage Landen Leasing Limited. Further details are available from Kuhn dealers.

MF RB 3130F Protec and MF RB 4160V Protec

The MF RB 3130F Protec and MF RB 4160V Protec balers combine all the benefits of the MF fixed and variable chamber balers with the addition of an integrated, specially-designed wrapper device for fast, non-stop baling and wrapping on the go.

MF RB Protec balers use a camless pick-up for high speed feeding with low maintenance requirement. The pick-up system has five tine bars with each one being spaced just 64mm apart, providing higher capacity and a smoother even feed at high speed.

Two large capacity 25cm diameter feeding augers direct crop to the centre to create the best bale shape.

The 18 Special Powergrip rollers in the fixed chamber design ensure constant grip for best bale shape and appearance, enhanced by mechanical tail gate locks with pressure sensors on both sides to help maintain bale shape. Left-right indication allows the operator to monitor the outer layers of bale via the in-cab screen.

The improved fixed chamber has a spiral-type design with slightly reduced diameter at the front thus improving feeding and bale rotation, increasing density and net grip when wrapping.

Designed for optimum performance, Xtracut models can be equipped with 13, 17 or 25 knives. Cutter units are fitted with the longest knives on the market, ensuring that no material will pass through uncut. Xtracut 17 and 25 versions feature two sets of hydraulically operated knife banks controlled from the cab, allowing the operator to choose a single knife bank, both knife banks or the disengagement of all knives for ultimate flexibility.

D-K-R

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD.

Main Dealers for John Deere Balers

D-K-R AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD.

Westfield, Coulter, Biggar, Lanarkshire ML12 6HN Tel. 01899 220897 • FAX. 01899 221413 E-Mail: dkrcoulter@hotmail-com

McHale ISO-PLAY

McHale have developed the ISOPlay terminal software in a way that allows full ISOBUS compatibility, but also benefits the McHale proprietary auto-switching camera functionality (as used in the existing iTouch terminals). Autoswitching of cameras makes the baling process easier for operators and also reduces the in-cab clutter as a second camera monitor is no longer required.

McHale ISO-Play terminals also benefit from full ISOBUS AUX-N compatibility. Commonly used machine functions can be assigned to an Auxiliary key on the terminal, assigned to the tractor ISOBUS joystick, or assigned to an aftermarket ISOBUS joystick.

For the coming season, McHale are offering ISOBUS and ISO-PLAY terminals as an option on the following machines; McHale V6750 Variable Chamber Baler McHale V8950 Variable Chamber Baler

McHale Fusion 3 Pro Integrated Baler Wrapper McHale Fusion 3 Plus Integrated Baler Wrapper

McHale ISOBUS machines can be plugged into any ISOBUS tractor connection and operated via the tractor’s own terminal in the cab. Alternatively, with an ISOBUS tractor the operator can use a separate ISOBUS terminal. The machine is connected via the tractors ISOBUS connector which eliminates large cables being routed through the back window of the tractor cab.

If the customer wishes to operate an ISOBUS controlled machine with a tractor that is not ISOBUS compatible, they can do so through the McHale ISO-PLAY 7 console, equipped with its 7” screen or the larger, 12” screen on the McHale ISOPLAY 12 console which is also available as an option. An additional tractor wiring loom is required to do this.

Roll-Belt balers from New Holland

New Holland has led the RollBelt baler segment for over 25 years, and has introduced a string of pioneering firsts that have revolutionised the way variable chamber balers operate today. Over 275,000 Roll-Belt balers are working around the globe in the expert hands of farmers and contractors to bring the harvest home. The latest generation is set to redefine round baling with advanced Roll-Belt technology that can improve capacity by up to 20% and density by up to 5%. What’s more, operators can select between a 150cm or 180cm maximum bale size to suit their individual needs. The Roll-Belt baler will also captivate the eye with its distinctive sweeping lines, which add a touch of class to every baling operation.

Think variable chamber productivity. Think New Holland Roll-Belt baler. Capacity has been increased by up to 20% thanks to the redesigned pick-up.

Just imagine clearing every field 20% faster, or doing 20% more work every day! This higher throughput means more crop is baled at optimum conditions. The feed assist roller makes all of this possible, funnelling crop into the rotor even more efficiently. Seconds have been shaved off already impressive wrap times to get you back to baling even more quickly.

The Roll-Belt guarantees top drawer bale quality. Always. An all-new moisture sensing system, which uses two discs on either side of the bale chamber to calculate average moisture, enables operators to respond, in real time, to changing baling conditions. Bale shape sensors on either side of the chamber provide instant feedback to the operator so that they can adjust their driving pattern to make perfect shaped bales. Operators can select how dense a core they require. In-cab density adjustment allows the operator to customize the core and outer density of the bales to suit their preference. Softer cores are perfect for easy feeding and when the bale needs to ‘breathe’ whereas a firmer core makes for excellent storage and handling

properties. Furthermore, uniform wrapping completes the package. The Roll-Belt baler belongs in the field, and efficient servicing and maintenance means your baler will spend more time in the field, earning its keep, as opposed to being kept. The one piece side and front shields mean operators have unfettered access to all service points and moving parts to keep the baler in tip-top condition. All service points can be reached from the ground and additional net storage enhances baler autonomy.

The new IMPRESS 3000 from Pottinger

Five years ago, Pottinger successfully launched its IMPRESS round baler, which was developed entirely in-house. The IMPRESS has undergone a facelift and now appears in a fresh design with a new name and even more intelligent details. The basic range still includes two fixed-chamber IMPRESS 3130 F MASTER and IMPRESS 3130 F PRO balers, as well as three models each for the variable-chamber balers. The IMPRESS 3160 and IMPRESS 3190 are available in the V version without a chopping system, V MASTER with a 16-knife chopping system and the V PRO version with a 32-knife chopping system, load sensing, ISOBUS control and numerous automatic functions. The product range is rounded off with three baler & wrapper combinations: IMPRESS 3130 FC PRO fixedchamber with a bale diameter of 1.3 metres, IMPRESS 3160 VC PRO variable chamber up to 1.55 metres and IMPRESS 3190 VC PRO variable chamber up to 1.85 metres. Bales with a diameter of up to 1.5 metres can be wrapped.

A central element is the completely new binding unit. The feed and tension of the binding material is now regulated from outside the baling chamber, not by the core of the bale.This means that rolls of material can be used regardless of the condition of the core. The maximum width of the binding material is 1,400 mm. The baler can be equipped for film & film binding using a tail binding unit.

An optional LED lighting package for all PRO models ensures optimum illumination of areas such as the pick-up and bale ejector and wrapper platform. LED strips with switches are installed under the side panels for maintenance work and changing rolls of film etc. The new IMPRESS PRO generation also sees the introduction of the new POWER CONTROL 3.0 terminal. This enables the direct selection of functions using membrane keys and the input of parameters using the 5” touch monitor.

Vicon reveals Plus-series variable chamber balers

Vicon’s latest RV5200 series variable chamber round balers offer lower running costs with improved output. Identified by the Plus-series designation, the updated RV5216 and RV5220 models are available withaps, while the press’ side support arms have also been strengthened and incorporate improved limit stops.

Enhanced protection against crop wrapping is also provided for the bearings, which have now been mounted inside the roller crop press.

Up front, the 2.2m pick-up reel - which features twin-cam tracks and five tine bars - has also been improved. It now features 10mm longer tines and

wider stripper plates to improve cleaning in wet crop conditions. The pick-up drive chain has also been increased in size for added durability.

The driveline has received attention and is now equipped with long-life HBC specification chains providing higher fatigue strength and increased wear resistance, compared to conventional chain. The bale chamber has not escaped attention either, with a new design of idler rollers which benefit from a 45% increase in bearing diameter, along with larger internal grease capacity and improved shielding. The idler rollers also gain a continuous central shaft, which adds rigidity.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

Subscription page 136

Zetor MetalFach Balers Offer an economical alternative

Zetor UK are now offering a keenly priced alternative round baler to the “Higher Spec” competition. The fixed chamber MetalFach Z562N Round Baler offers the end user a familiar and reliable machine at a fraction of the price of the high end options. The standard specification of the

MetalFach Z562N 4’x4’ baler includes 16 Rollers, Net and Twine Tying, Crop Feed Rake to the chamber, Wide Pick-up at 1.8m, LGP Tyres, Drive Chain AutoLube, Bale Kicker and Wide Angle PTO. The design of the machine will be familiar too many farmers and operators as it is based on the well proven ‘Welger System’ machine from the late 80’s and early 90’s.

“We have been importing and selling these machines for more than 4 years now with sales numbers increasing year after year”, Hamish Watson (Area Sales Manager for North & Scotland). “With their easy operation, minimal power input and single hydraulic line, this baler is ideally suited to smaller farm operations and users who do not want or need High Spec machines. It is an ideal alternative option for those customers who are in the market and would be looking at a second hand baler. You usually find the Z562N is cheaper than many of these used machines and comes with a full manufacturer warranty.“

Sold as an additional range of machinery through the UK Zetor dealer network, the balers along with a range of other selected MetalFach grassland machinery (Drum Mowers, Tedder’s and Rakes) plus a variety of loader attachments.

Speak to your local dealer to day or contact Zetor UK direct on 08006771414 or zetor@zetor.co.uk to request more information or availability.

Professional Quality from Silotite

As part of its mission to continually improve efficiency, ease of use and sustainability, Silotite have announced a major investment in their Professional Range of bale wrapping films. Silotite1800 is perfect for both round and square bales and can be used on any type of crop and bale wrapping machinery. With its 1800m length, users get up to 20% more bales per reel.

The innovative sleeve packaging offers significant advantages, being lighter than the standard cardboard box, there is a reduction of almost 20kg in packaging material used on every pallet. Cardboard also takes up a lot of space on the pallet. By using sleeve packaging, we can add an extra 300m of film on each reel. Along with time savings, Silotite1800 means there is 20% less handling, transportation and storage space required. Its unique sleeve packaging means that there are no bulky boxes to handle, and recycling is easy, as the packaging is made from the same film as the bale wrap. No separating of recycling materials is needed. Another advantage of the sleeve packaging is that the reel is more protected when it is stored on the baler.

Silotite1800 also works in combination with Baletite baler film, meaning even more versatility. Baletite baler film ensures round bales are compact and denser, providing an enhanced oxygen barrier that discourages mould growth. Baletite also benefits from the sleeve packaging, for ease of use when handling.Baletite and Silotite1800 combine to make up the film & film wrapping system that has been proven to provide an efficient and enhanced wrapping system, along with superior silage and easier feed out. Baletite peels cleaning from the bale surface as no fodder can be enmeshed as it can with net wrap. Whether feeding out manually or mechanically, Baletite makes the process easy and fast.